Cyriel Dessers has revealed that Rangers’ Champions League opponents Club Brugge made two attempts to sign him.
The Ibrox team faces the Belgian side in a home first leg this evening, but Dessers’ participation is uncertain. Manager Russell Martin described him as “touch and go” after sustaining an injury against Viktoria Plzen.
The 30-year-old previously played in Belgium with Lokeren, OH Leuven, and Genk but has since had opportunities to return.
He departed Genk for a loan spell at Feyenoord before securing a permanent move to Cremonese and later Rangers.
The Nigeria international has now confirmed to Belgian media that Club Brugge reached out on two occasions.
He told Het Laatste Nieuws: “There were indeed two contacts with Club (Brugge).
“Once when (Ivan) Leko was manager there, and the last time when I was playing for Cremonese. But that interest never materialised.”
But would he consider a return to Belgium, particularly with Club Brugge?
“Why not?
“It’s still too early anyway, but I’ve been living abroad for quite a while and I recently bought a house in Mechelen. There are a few Belgian teams I’m particularly fond of.”
This prompted a question about playing for KV Mechelen, and once again, he kept his options open.
“They asked if I could come play for Mechelen,” said Dessers.
“And I don’t think my wife and in-laws would mind either. Although we’ll have to see how that works out with my career.
“KV Mechelen is a fantastic club. And for the rest, I try to leave as many doors open as possible. You never know what a career will bring.”
Regarding tonight’s match, he acknowledges that the visitors are favored. However, he insists that he and his teammates are ready for the challenge and confident of pulling off an upset.
Dessers added: “I think it’s clear that Club Brugge is the favourite. They’re a team that qualified in the Champions League (for the knockout stage) last year – that’s quite something.
“But I don’t think we’re an easy team to face either. People sometimes look down on the Scottish league – as if there are only two teams – but it’s really not that easy here.
“We were also in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last year and, with a bit more luck, could even have reached the semi-finals. Our team is optimistic about this match. We’ve always been strong in Europe at Ibrox in recent years.
“There are three things on my bucket list: to win the championship, to go to a big tournament with Nigeria and play in the Champions League.”